Literature Quote

Chieftain of the Dúnedain

The title taken by the Heirs of Isildur after the loss of the kingdom of Arthedain; sixteen lords of Men, from Aranarth (elder son of Arvedui, last King of Arthedain) to Aragorn II Elessar.1- Aranarth (Chieftain for 131 years to III 2106): The heir of Arvedui, who would have become King of Arthedain if not for the destruction of his realm by the Witch-king. He saw his loss avenged, though, when a great army of DÃºnedain out of Gondor, led by EÃ¤rnur, wiped out the Witch-king's own realm of Angmar. During his time, the Watchful Peace began, and the Heirs of Isildur had peace until the time of Arahad I.2- Arahael (Chieftain for 71 years to III 2177).3- Aranuir (Chieftain for 70 years to III 2247).4- Aravir (Chieftain for 72 years to III 2319).5- Aragorn I (Chieftain for 8 years to III 2327): The first Aragorn, after whom Aragorn of the War of the Ring was named, lost his life in eastern Eriador, where he was slain by wolves.6- Araglas (Chieftain for 128 years to III 2455).7- Arahad I (Chieftain for 68 years to III 2523): In his time, the evil that had once dwelt in Dol Guldur returned, and the Watchful Peace came to an end. In the eighth year of his reign, the White Council was formed, a matter that Arahad must surely have been aware of, if he was not directly involved himself. As the years drew on, the extent of the danger from the east became more evident; the Misty Mountains were filled with Orcs, and near the end of Arahad's time as Chieftain, CelebrÃ­an the wife of Elrond was captured and tortured by them.8- Aragost (Chieftain for 65 years to III 2588).9- Aravorn (Chieftain for 66 years to III 2654).10- Arahad II (Chieftain for 65 years to III 2719).11- Arassuil (Chieftain for 65 years to III 2784): Arassuil saw Eriador openly invaded by Orcs out of the Misty Mountains, who penetrated as far west as the Shire. The period between III 2745 and III 2748 is recorded as being the time of worst warfare, and it was in this time that the Battle of Greenfields was fought in the Northfarthing. Arassuil was Chieftain at the time of the Long Winter.12- Arathorn I (Chieftain for 64 years to III 2848): It is known that Arathorn met an untimely end, though no records remain of his fate. Perhaps he was slain by Orcs or wolves, though the worst of the fighting with the Orcs of the Mountains had been over for a century before his death.13- Argonui (Chieftain for 64 years to III 2912): The last winter of Argonui's rule was the so-called Fell Winter, in which the northern lands were troubled by White Wolves out of the north, and the floods from the snow-melts of the following spring spread destruction far and wide.14- Arador (Chieftain for 18 years to III 2930): Arador enjoyed only a short time as Chieftain, during which he saw his son Arathorn wed Gilraen. Soon after, journeying in the fells north of Rivendell, he was captured by Hill-trolls and slain.15- Arathorn II (Chieftain for 3 years to III 2933): Arathorn's time as leader of the Rangers was even shorter than his father's. After just three years as Chieftain, he went hunting Orcs with Elladan and Elrohir, and was shot by an arrow. He was succeeded by his son Aragorn, then just two years old.16- Aragorn II (Chieftain for 86 years to III 3019): Most famous of all the Chieftains, Aragorn had great friendship with the Wizard Gandalf. He journeyed the length and breadth of Middle-earth, doing heroic deeds in the service of both Rohan and Gondor. He played a great part in the War of the Ring, and at its end as rightful Heir of Isildur took up the Kingship of his noble ancestor, reuniting the North- and South- kingdoms after more than three thousand years.It is presumed here that the office of Chieftain came to an end when Aragorn took up his Kingship in III 3019.